McDonald’s pulls plans for new Dumfries drive-thru but still hopes to open second restaurant

McDonald’s has decided to halt its plans for a new drive-thru on the outskirts of Dumfries. Despite this setback, the renowned fast-food chain still has ambitions to open a second outlet in the town, with fresh proposals currently in the works. The initial planning application for the proposed drive-thru on Annan Road, near the Premier Inn, was withdrawn following a recommendation for rejection by council planning officials. Andrew Crewther, the senior acquisitions manager at McDonald’s, expressed disappointment at the council’s decision but confirmed their commitment to bringing a second restaurant to Dumfries.

Crewther emphasised, “We have decided to withdraw our application for a new restaurant in Dumfries to address the new concerns raised by the council.” He added, “We have been extremely encouraged by the positive feedback we’ve received from the community, and we remain committed to delivering a second restaurant in Dumfries.” The company plans to submit a new planning application to Dumfries and Galloway Council in the coming year. The proposed development was estimated to involve a £4 million investment and the creation of 120 job opportunities.

However, concerns were raised in a report for the council meeting regarding the heavy reliance of the development on car visits, with inadequate public transport or cycle path links and potential landscape impact noted. Another factor was the availability of a more suitable site, which was approved for a new drive-thru at the Peel Centre retail park in a previous committee meeting. This location was deemed preferable as it met McDonald’s requirement for the outlet to be more than 1.5km away from the existing Lochside Road restaurant.

In conclusion, while McDonald’s has faced a setback in its initial plans for a new drive-thru in Dumfries, the company remains committed to bringing a second restaurant to the town. Despite challenges and concerns, McDonald’s is dedicated to engaging with the local community and local authorities to address any issues and move forward with their expansion plans. The journey to open a new outlet in Dumfries continues, underscoring McDonald’s determination to provide its services to the residents of the town.